Penn State has its new quarterbacks coach - and it’s a name that brings both Big 12 experience and a strong developmental track record. Jake Waters, who most recently served as Iowa State’s quarterbacks coach, is headed to Happy Valley to take over the Nittany Lions’ QB room.
Waters quietly updated his bio on X, signaling the move, and while there hasn’t been an official announcement yet, the writing’s on the wall: Penn State is bringing in a coach who’s earned his stripes in a Power Five program and has already worked closely with young talent under pressure.
Waters spent the last few seasons under Matt Campbell at Iowa State, joining the Cyclones’ staff in 2021 and serving as quarterbacks coach for the past two years. In that time, he played a key role in the development of Rocco Becht, who made a solid impression in 2025. Becht completed 60.5% of his passes for 2,584 yards, 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions - numbers that reflect a quarterback learning to manage the game while still pushing the ball downfield.
It’s worth noting that this isn’t Waters’ first stint with Iowa State. He got his coaching start there as a graduate assistant back in 2017, also under Campbell. That familiarity with a developmental system and long-term program building should serve him well at Penn State, especially with a young quarterback room that’s still finding its identity.
Waters steps in to replace Danny O’Brien, who left the program to reunite with James Franklin at Virginia Tech. O’Brien’s departure left a key vacancy on the offensive staff, and Penn State didn’t waste time filling it with someone who understands the grind of quarterback development at the collegiate level.
Meanwhile, assistant quarterbacks coach Trace McSorley - a familiar name for Penn State fans - is expected to remain on staff. While his exact role hasn’t been defined yet, keeping McSorley in the building gives the Nittany Lions some continuity, especially for players who’ve already built a rapport with him.
This move signals a continued focus for Penn State on building from within at the quarterback position. With Waters now leading the room, the Nittany Lions are betting on a coach who’s proven he can guide young signal-callers through the ups and downs of a college season - and help them come out stronger on the other side.